Dog allegedly beaten with a baseball bat is recovering

Duece is a pit bull that was allegedly beaten by an 18-year-old Middletown man, who is charged with misdemeanor cruelty to companion animals after allegedly used a baseball bat against the dog. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF(Nick Graham)

Nick Graham

BUTLER COUNTY — A Middletown man is charged with beating a dog with a bat, according to the Butler County Sheriff’s Office.

A humane officer was called to Seldon Avenue on Saturday on a report of a dog being beaten with a baseball bat. A neighbor caught the alleged abuse on video and sent it to authorities, said Butler County Dog Warden Supervisor Kurt Merbs.

“In this day and age, everyone has a phone. It shouldn’t take the place of call-ups. But if you have us coming and it continues, taking a video is really helpful,” he said.

Here are screen captures of an 18-year-old allegedly beating a dog with a baseball bat. Clayton Sisco, 18, allegedly admitted he was punishing Duece, a pit bull, for defecating in the cage it was confined in, according to the Butler County Dog Waren supervisor. PROVIDED

Unfortunately, it is not surprising Merbs said to see this type of abuse.

“It is kind of becoming more routine around here,” Merbs said. "We are seeing more of it."

Sisco was charged with misdemeanor cruelty to companion animals. He was also arrested for outstanding warrants. He is scheduled to will appear in the Middletown Municipal Court on July 19.

“We love our animals in Butler County,” said Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones. “This dog was obviously submissive and not deserving of the punishment.”